Patriots Journal: Texans prepared for Pats’ up-tempo offense

Figuring out how to cope with the Patriots’ up-tempo offense is something that Houston coach Gary Kubiak says his team is used to doing.

Brian MacPherson Journal Sports Writer brianmacp

FOXBORO — New England can prepare for the pass-swatting ability of J.J. Watt, Antonio Smith and the Houston defensive line by bringing racquetball paddles and brooms to practice this week to wave in the face of quarterback Tom Brady.

For the Texans, figuring out how to cope with the Patriots’ up-tempo offense is a little more challenging — but it’s also something they’re used to doing.

“That’s something we do all the time, regardless of who we’re playing,” Houston coach Gary Kubiak said in a conference call on Thursday. “We pick up the tempo of our practice both offensively and defensively and try to work as if we’re working on a much shorter clock all the time. I think it’s good for our condition. It’s good for preparation, especially when you’re playing a team like the Patriots. It is something that’s always part of our practice. They obviously play at a tremendous pace, and you better be ready to get your calls in and get ready to go. It will be a point of emphasis this week.”

One of the challenges for Houston this week will be the health of its defensive secondary. The Texans signed former Kansas City cornerback Stanford Routt on Wednesday after placing Brice McCain on injured reserve with a broken foot. McCain had 24 tackles and eight pass-breakups before he went on the shelf.

Standout Johnathan Joseph has missed back-to-back games with a hamstring injury. His status for Monday is uncertain.

“[Joseph] has benefited from the fact that we have an extra day here and not playing last week,” Kubiak said. “He did work out on Monday, and he will be involved in practice today probably on a limited basis. We’re headed in the right direction, but he’s definitely better.

“We have big-time challenges, but we have to have some young guys step to the plate. This time of year, usually, that’s extremely important because everybody has some injuries and some people beat up.”

Foster a constant threat

Houston running back Arian Foster is averaging fewer than 4.0 yards per carry for the first time since he broke into the NFL in 2009. He’s already over 1,000 rushing yards, but he’s averaging fewer rushing yards per game (91.8) than he did in either of the previous two seasons.

Still, Foster remains one of the most potent weapons in the NFL — and it’s not just because the Texans’ zone-blocking scheme up front fits him so well.

“I don’t care if it’s that scheme or not,” Patriots nose tackle Vince Wilfork said. “To have a guy like that on your team is special. He shows great talent. He’s a tough runner. He can catch out of the backfield. He blocks. He can do a lot of things well. Defensively, we’ve got to do a real good job of trying to contain him.

“He’s been a guy that’s been our workhorse,” Houston quarterback Matt Schaub said. “We’ve given him the ball quite a bit this year, especially in the beginning part of the season, when we’ve had leads in the fourth quarter and we just are using the clock and running the football. He’s touched the ball quite a bit. He just seems to always be patient and find the holes and working well with our offensive line. When we get in the red zone, he has a knack for finding the end zone.”

Jones, Mankins at practice

Both Chandler Jones and Logan Mankins were present at the start of practice at Gillette Stadium on Thursday afternoon, their second straight day at practice.

Jones injured his ankle in the first quarter of the Patriots’ Nov. 18 against Indianapolis and hasn’t played since. Mankins has missed almost a month with ankle and calf injuries sustained when he had his ankle rolled up on Nov. 18 against Buffalo. Both were listed as having been “limited” when the official report was released.

Also a limited participant was guard Dan Connolly, a positive development four days after a back injury prevented him from finishing Sunday’s game at Miami. In all, 12 Patriots were listed as limited including tight end Aaron Hernandez (ankle), linebacker Dont’a Hightower (hamstring), linebacker Brandon Spikes (knee/ankle), tackle Sebastian Vollmer (back/knee) and wide receiver Wes Welker (ankle).

Tight end Rob Gronkowski (forearm) and offensive lineman Nick McDonald (shoulder) did not participate in practice on Thursday.